BIOLOGY 103 INTRODUCTORY BIOLOGY I
COURSE SYLLABUS - FALL 2005
DESCRIPTION AND OBJECTIVES Biology 103 is the first of a 2-semester sequence in Introductory Biology, designed primarily for non-majors. The goal of this sequence is to provide the student with an understanding of, and appreciation for, the many facets of the biological world. Biology 103 begins with an examination of the underlying chemical basis of life. We then look at structure and function of the basic unit of life, the cell. After a brief look at some of the basic energy transformations on which living things depend, we then go on to a study of genes and heredity; and finally, an overview of evolution and the diversity of life. The laboratory exercises are designed to illustrate and expand on lecture topics.
Because this class fulfills (in part) the General Education Natural Science requirement for a 2-semester laboratory science sequence, students must be enrolled in both a laboratory and lecture section. No credit will be awarded to students who are not appropriately enrolled by the official deadlines.Biology 103 is a prerequisite for Biology 104.
COURSE COORDINATOR Dr. H. B. Cressey
David King Hall, Room 3019
Phone: (703) 993-1060 e-mail:
REQUIRED TEXTSLecture Text: Campbell, Reese, Taylor, and Simon. 2005. Biology: Concepts and Connections, 5th ed., Pearson Benjamin Cummings. San Francisco.
Lab Manual: Cressey. 2005.Introductory Biology I Laboratory Manual. Kendall/Hunt Publ. Co., Dubuque, IA.
WEBSITE
Students are advised to check this site frequently, or as advised by instructors, for tips, announcements, assignments, etc.!
GMU e-mailAll George Mason students are issued (free of charge!) an e-mail account. Instructors often find it convenient or necessary to e-mail individual students, or the class as a whole. The George Mason in-house policy is to use only the GMU e-mail accounts. Therefore, it is necessary for the students to activate and frequently check their GMU e-mail to insure receiving messages in a timely fashion. Reports are that some other e-mail providers will not allow GMU messages to be forwarded, so to be sure to receive messages, frequently check your GMU e-mail!
GMU ID'sAll students are issued a GMU photo ID card. Please carry this with you, especially during exams, as it will be necessary for instructors to verify each student's identification. Instructors are not required to honor identification cards other than those issued by the University.
ATTENDANCERegular attendance in both laboratory and lecture is crucial to successful completion of this course. Studies have shown that students who attend each class perform far better than those whose attendance is irregular. Therefore, students are expected to attend every lab and every lecture, to arrive on time, and to remain until class is dismissed. Much interesting, subtle and valuable information can be presented in class, which may not be presented in the text.Therefore, students are responsible for being aware of all information and announcements presented in class, whether or not they are present.
Students are also responsible for being sure they are properly enrolled in the course. If a student drops the course, he or she must see to the paperwork him or herself, and in a timely fashion. Instructors will not "automatically" drop a student who merely stops coming to class.
Laboratory absences will result in a grade of zero for that lab, unless written permission is obtained from both the regular lab instructor and the instructor for the make-up lab. Only two such lab make-ups will be allowed in any semester, and only for compelling reasons.Three or more unexcused absences in lab will result in a grade of zero for the entire laboratory portion of the course.
For safety purposes, each student must heed all routine laboratory safety practices as well as all special warnings, precautions and instructions issued by the lab instructor.
STUDENTS WITH DISABILITIES Both lab and lecture instructors are happy to make arrangements with students with disabilities. These arrangements, however, must be made through the Disability Resource Center (DRC) at 993-2474. Please contact both the DRC and your instructors as soon as possible for any accommodations you might need.
CLASSROOM BEHAVIOR If something is not clear to you, by all means, ask questions! A well-timed question can help everyone in class, even the instructor. Students are asked to be respectful and considerate of one another. To that end, please listen when someone else is talking, and turn off all cell phones, other noise-makers, as well as any other distracting electronics while in lecture or lab.
CANCELED CLASSES If an examination is scheduled for a day on which classes are canceled due to weather or any other reason, the exam will be given during the next scheduled class. Call (703) 993-1000 for official notification of canceled classes.
HONOR CODE Students are required to read and adhere to the George Mason University Honor Code. Ignorance of the Honor Code is no excuse for infractions thereof. The Biology Department strongly enforces the GMU Honor Code. All work done in lecture and lab (exams, data sheets, papers, quizzes, etc.) must be the sole work of the individual student whose name appears on the assignment. Copying data, falsifying data, failing to give credit to referenced sources, cheating on exams and quizzes are among violations of the Honor Code, and will be dealt with most seriously.
EXAMS AND GRADING Three hourly lecture exams will be given, each worth 100 points; the lowest hourly exam score will be dropped. In addition, there will be a cumulative final exam, which all students must take, worth 150 points. Hourly exams for classes meeting multiple times per week will be given on the second meeting of the week (Wednesday or Thursday). Exams will be returned in the student's lab section. For final exam times, please see the Lecture and Lab Schedule.
For the hourly and final exams, students will be required to bring with them one or two sharpened pencils with good erasers, a Scantron form No. 882-E, and a valid GMU ID card. The use by students of electronic devices of any type is prohibited during exams.
The hourly and final exams will start promptly at the scheduled time. Students are expected to arrive on time to all exams! Students arriving late to an exam will be seated only at the discretion of the instructor, and will be given no extra time to take the exam.Once one student has finished and handed in an exam, no other, late arriving students will be allowed to take the exam - No Exceptions!
In those lecture sections which meet only once a week for 2.67 hr (004 and 005), the hourly exams will be given during the first portion of the class period; after a short break, the lecture will resume.
Due to the large size of the lecture classes, and because one hourly exam grade is dropped, absolutely no make-up exams, including the final exam, will be given to any student under any circumstances. Please read the previous statement once more – it applies to YOU!
The laboratory is worth a total of 150 points, bringing the course total to 500 points. The point breakdown is as follows:
Lecture Exam 100 / 425 - 449 = B+
Final Exam 150 / 400 - 424 = B
Lab Quizzes (11 @ 5 pts each) 55 / 375 - 399 = C+
Lab Data Sheets(12 @ 3 pts each) 36 / 350 - 374 = C
Lab Paper ( 2 - 3 pages) 30 / 300 - 349 = D
Lab Genetics Assignment 30 / 0 - 299 = F
Total 500 + 1
LABORATORY POLICIES
AttendancePunctual attendance is required in every lab, and is essential for proper understanding of the material.Three unexcused absences from lab will result in a total grade of zero (0) for the entire lab portion of the course grade. Because there can be hazards associated with some laboratory procedures, equipment, and chemicals, all students must follow standard safe laboratory practices, as well as any particular precautions and instructions issued by the lab instructor. All students are expected to participate in routine clean-up of their lab space, and to be cooperative and considerate of their fellow students who will be using such space after them.
Make-Ups If a student unavoidably misses a lab, it may (or it may not!) be possible to make up the missed lab in another section during the same week. A make-up must be approved by both instructors. Any instructor may refuse to allow a student to make-up in his or her lab if the lab is already at capacity. If a make-up is allowed, the student must take the quiz and follow all rules and instructions of the "host" instructor. It is the student's responsibility to see that all graded material be transmitted to the instructor of record. A student will be permitted only 2 make-ups per semester.
Quizzes A 5-point quiz will be given at the beginning of eleven labs (please see schedule). Latecomers risk losing time to take the quiz, possibly all of it. The quizzes will consist of 3 points from the previous lab's material, 2 points on the background material for the current day's lab..
Paper A 2-3 page research paper counts for 30 points of the lab grade. The paper will be based on a newspaper or popular magazine article on an assigned topic. The article must be dated after August 1, 2005. Details for the paper are in the Lab Manual, and will also be explained by the lab instructor.
Genetics Assignment A genetics assignment based on data we will collect in the Human Genetics Lab will be worth 30 points. Details of the assignment will be explained by the lab instructors.
DissectionIn Biology 103 labs we perform dissections of earthworms, crayfish, and starfish. In Biology 103, there are dissections of sheep’s hearts and fetal pigs. We also examine live or preserved specimens of many other organisms. Most students find these dissections and examinations both very interesting and instructive. Attendance and participation in the dissection labs are required.If you object to dissection for any reason, BIOL 103 and 104 are not for you!! Following is the Biology Department's Policy on the Use of Organisms in Classes:
1. Direct observations of actual organisms are considered an essential part of learning biology at all levels.
2. Direct observation of organisms may involve the use of living or preserved specimens, dissections of organisms or parts of organisms, and microscopic examinations of organisms or parts of organisms. All use of organisms will conform with NIH Guidelines for the Use of Laboratory Animals.
3. Such activities (#2) may be a required part of a course and thus serve as a basis for grading in the course.
WHERE TO GET HELP!Biology is a fascinating subject, but one which some students find daunting. If you find yourself having any difficulties in this course, see your instructor (lab, lecture, or both) at the outset. All instructors have posted office hours, during which appointments are not necessary. In addition, many instructors may be able to meet students
outside of their posted hours in order to accommodate student schedules. It is the instructors' job to provide all the help they can to students; it is the students' job to ask for individual help when they need it. Much of the material in Biology 103 builds on previously covered material, therefore it is necessary to have a good understanding of one concept before moving on to the next. If you feel your understanding is inadequate; if you feel you are getting "lost," see your instructor immediately!!
We are here to help!
The UniversityWritingCenter can be of great value in writing the short laboratory paper. They can help with organization, grammar, spelling, and other aspects of English usage for the paper. They cannot research or write the paper for you!
The CounselingCenter has valuable programs and workshops to help with many aspects of both academic and personal life. From strategies for successful note-taking to time-management to inter-personal relationships, there are counselors and workshops that can help with many of the circumstances you may encounter during college life.
Many students find joining study groups with fellow classmates useful and enriching both academically and personally. Learning outside the classroom may be the most important learning of all! Make use of the many rich academic and personal resources available at Mason!
Biology 103
Lecture and Lab Schedule – Fall 2005
Week of: / Lecture Topic / Text Chapter(s) / Lab ExerciseAug. 29 / Introduction; Chemistry of Life / 1; 2 / Check-In; Safety;
#1 Lab Basics
Sept. 5 / Chemistry of Life / 2 / #1 Lab Basics; Lab Paper Specifications
(no Monday Labs)
Sept. 12 / Molecules of Cells / 3 / #2 Biological Molecules
Sept 19 / Cell Structure
EXAM I / 4 / #3 Cell Structure and Function
Sept. 26 / Cell Structure; Enzymes / 4, 5 / #4 Enzymes
Oct. 3 / Cell Membranes; Cellular Respiration / 5, 6 / #5 Cellular Respiration
Oct. 10 / Cellular Respiration / 6 / Paper Preparation
Oct. 17 / Mitosis
EXAM II / 8 / #6 The Cell Cycle
Oct. 24 / Meiosis; Mendelian Genetics / 8, 9 / #7 Working Genetics Problems
Oct. 31 / Mendelian Genetics / 9 / #8 Human Inheritance
Nov. 7 / DNA / 10 / #9 Sponges, Cnidarians and Worms
Nov. 14 / Evolution
EXAM III / 13 / #10 Annelids and Arthropods
Nov. 21 / Evolution / 13 / Thanksgiving Break; No Labs ! !
Nov. 28 / Diversity of Life / 16 / #11 Molluscs, Echinoderms and Chordates
Dec. 5 / Diversity of Life / 17, 18 / #12 Simulating
Natural Selection
Final Exam Schedule:
Section 001 - Monday, December 19, 7:30 – 10:15 AM
Section 002 – Wednesday, December 14, 10:30 AM – 1:15 PM
Section 003 – Thursday, December 15, 1: 30 – 4:15 PM
Section 004 – Thursday, December 15, 4:30 – 7:10 PM
Section 005 – Thursday, December 15, 7:30 – 10 PM
Section 006 – Monday, December 19, 7:30 – 10:15 AM
Lecture Section ______Lecture Instructor ______
Lecture Instructor’s Office Hours______Lecturer’s e-mail ______
Lab Section ______Lab Instructor ______
Lab Instructor’s Office Hours ______Lab Instructor’s e-mail ______
Lecture Text: Campbell, Reese, Taylor, and Simon. 2005. Biology: Concepts and Connections, 5th ed. Pearson Benjamin Cummings. San Francisco.
Lab Manual: Cressey. 2005. Introductory Biology I Laboratory Manual. Kendall/Hunt. Dubuque, Iowa.
Biology 103 Laboratory Schedule, Fall 2005
Week of: / Lab Exercise / Quiz / OtherAug. 29 / Check-In; Safety; #1, Lab Basics / No Quiz !
Sept. 5 / # 1, Lab Basics; Paper Specifications / No Quiz ! / No Monday Labs
Sept. 12 / # 2Biological Molecules / 3 points Ex. 1;
2 points Ex. 2
Sept. 19 / # 3Cell Structure and Function / 3 points Ex. 2;
2 points Ex. 3 / Article Approval Sheet
Due
Sept. 26 / # 4Enzymes / 3 points Ex. 3;
2 points Ex. 4
Oct. 3 / # 5 Cellular Respiration / 3 points Ex. 4;
2 points Ex. 5
Oct. 10 / Paper Preparation / No Quiz !
Oct. 17 / # 6The Cell Cycle / 3 points Ex.5;
2 points Ex. 6 / Optional Draft
of Paper Due
Oct. 24 / # 7Working Genetics Problems / 3 points Ex. 6;
2 points Ex. 7
Oct. 31 / # 8 Human Inheritance / 3 points Ex. 7;
2 points Ex. 8 / Short Paper Due
Nov. 7 / # 9 Sponges, Cnidarians, and Worms / 3 points Ex. 8;
2 points Ex. 9
Nov. 14 / # 10 Annelids and Arthropods / 3 points Ex. 9;
2 points Ex. 10 / Genetics Assignment Due
Nov. 21 / THANKSGIVING WEEK ! NO LABS ! !
Nov. 28 / # 11 Molluscs, Echinoderms and Chordates / 3 points Ex. 10;
2 points Ex. 11
Dec. 5 / # 12 Simulating Natural Selection / 3 points Ex. 11;
2 points Ex. 12
Lab Section ______Lab Instructor ______
Instructor's Office Hours ______Contact ______
Safety Reminders ! !
No food or drink may be brought into the lab, or consumed there, unless part of the laboratory exercise.
No high heels, bare feet, sandals, or open-toed shoes; no bare midriffs, shorts, sleeveless shirts or excessive bare skin in the lab.
Report to your instructor any unsafe conditions you notice.
Follow all safety precautions given by your instructor.
Attendance Reminders ! !
Be on time and prepared! Quizzes are given at the beginning of lab!
Ask questions to clarify any procedure or principle you are uncertain of.
Permission to make up a lab must be obtained by both instructors. Only 2 make-up's allowed per semester.
Unexcused absences in 3 or more labs causes the loss of all lab points (eek!).